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A row has erupted over which groups received more money from Nottinghamshire County Council – with a leading Labour councillor accusing the Tories of prioritising private members clubs over those who help the most vulnerable.

There were 201 voluntary organisations, community groups, parish councils and charities across the county were given funding under the Local Improvement Scheme - worth £2 million.

The county council has created the Local Improvement Scheme to help local communities to be vibrant and sustainable by providing grants to local organisations over the next three years.

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Arts projects, new buildings, sports clubs, memorials, play schemes, services for older people, youth activities – and information and advice services are included in a mix of capital and revenue funding awards which seek to make a difference in their local community between now and 2021.

The leader of the Labour opposition, Cllr Alan Rhodes, had slammed the council for funding private members tennis and golf clubs instead of organisations that would help the most vulnerable in the community.

But Cllr Gordon Wheeler, Vice-Chairman of the Communities and Place Committee, hit back, accusing Cllr Rhodes of trying to make mischief and that it was laughable to think that money would be given to private members clubs without proper justification.

Cllr Rhodes said: “These are fairly large projects and important projects, but there seems to be a real lack of projects that are being funded whose aim is to help those who are disadvantaged or for those who are going through poverty. Instead, the ruling Tory group are funding private tennis clubs and golf clubs.

“This is a real concern for us. When we were in control of the council, our priority was helping those who were disadvantaged, but the Conservatives have shown that they are more interested in tennis clubs and golf clubs and cricket clubs than groups who help the less fortunate and those who are disadvantaged.”

Among the groups funded is Collingham Tennis Club, who were granted £24,636 to build a new tennis clubhouse and broaden tennis’ appeal, while Chilwell Manor Golf Club were given £15,000 for the development of a year-round practice area.

And Cllr Rhodes added that he had been denied access to a list of groups who failed to secure a grant and said he was having to put in a freedom of information request to find that information out.

However, Cllr Wheeler responded by saying he was just causing mischief. He added: “At the meeting last week, the committee where told that they would be given a list of all the unsuccessful applicants, and that list would not be in confidence, so the members of the committee would be able and free to circulate that list to whoever they liked.”

He also questioned why Cllr Rhodes was singling out these clubs when the list also includes for example providing a new community transport service to vulnerable and isolated people enabling users to attend medical appointments, attend social events and visit friends/ relatives in hospital and care homes.

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And he added: “For all of the groups who were given funding, there is an underlying reason as to why they have been successful in their application. The applicants had to demonstrate to the committee exactly why they were deserving of the grants, and the tennis club said that they would broaden tennis’ appeal. The applications will encourage more people to play sport, tackle obesity and raise participation level.

“These grants will benefit a whole range of organisations and groups and there was no political influence at all in deciding these.

“The politicians had no input into the deciding of the groups on the list and the groups were decided upon by officers. A whole range of groups have benefited from this, not just those in ‘true-blue’ Tory territory. As if, we as a county council, would give money to a private members club with no justification or reason why.

“We will also be auditing this properly, so if any of the groups don’t spend the money in the way that they said they would, then they will have to return it to us.”

Supporting local communities to make Nottinghamshire a great place to live, work, visit and relax

Helping people to help themselves through encouraging volunteering and community involvement

Encourage the protection and development of the local environment and heritage

Support Members in their roles as community leaders to respond to local ideas that bring community and economic benefits to the county.

Applications have been checked very carefully and have included a review by independent assessors, a spokesman for the council added.

In Ashfield , Mansfield and Gedling districts, £476,958 has been awarded to 55 schemes, in Broxtowe and Rushcliffe districts, £614,123 has been awarded to 62 schemes, and in Bassetlaw , Newark and Sherwood districts, £741,165 has been awarded to 80 schemes.

A further total of £412,000 has been awarded to four countywide schemes.